Own your journey – reflecting on my internship experience with the SPF.
By: Rose Maswida
As a student from Temasek Polytechnic, I embarked on a six-month internship journey with the Singapore Police Force (SPF) this year!
My role? A budding journalist at Police Life, learning to navigate the dynamic world of journalism. Over seven months, I’ve honed my skills in writing, adjusted to the fast-paced nature of the industry, and developed my storytelling technique.
Learning the Craft
As I began my work, I realised how vastly different the writing styles I learnt at school were from the style required in an organisation. During my first few weeks, I spent my time learning the writing style of Police Life by reading through previous articles. Most importantly, I learnt to write with precision and speed, guided by senior journalists who helped us become accustomed to the workflow and processes.
I vividly recall my first interview with a Police officer for an article. I was worried about whether my questions would be able to draw out the answers needed for the story. However, as the conversation progressed, I found my footing and realised that an interview is as much about listening as it is about asking questions. That first interview taught me the importance of building rapport and creating a space where people feel comfortable enough to share their stories openly.
Research: The Foundation of Storytelling
For every assignment I received, it was customary to do background research to better understand what I was working on and to plan for the upcoming phases of the article, such as interviews and photoshoots.
The most intense, yet rewarding, project during my internship was the three-part “Past and Present” article series, which featured Police officers in the same role from the past and in the present day. The articles required me to dig deep into the SPF’s history, uncovering how different roles and processes evolved over the years.
This research allowed me to be better prepared as the officers shared with me stories and pieces of history not widely known. For example, when I interviewed a retired Traffic Police (TP) officer who joined in 1962 for the Past and Present: TP Patrol Officers article, my research into events like Police Week (now Police Day) led him to share more stories from his service and contributions to the event.
Good research opens doors to a deeper understanding of our subjects. While I may be conducting research on one thing, I’m bound to find many other points of interest, enriching my learning journey.
Behind the Lens
In the articles that we write, I’ve learnt that photos are just as crucial to storytelling as the words on the page. Therefore, it’s always important to plan the shots that I’ve visualised in my mind for the article beforehand so they can be better implemented on the day of the photoshoot.
The day of a photoshoot is always a test of preparedness and adaptability. One instance that challenged me was a shoot at the Senior Police Officers' Mess where a heavy downpour prevented me from getting the shots I’d initially planned to take. I immediately searched for indoor locations to capture the needed photos for the article!
At first, leading a photoshoot felt daunting, as I’m a soft-spoken person. I had to step outside my comfort zone, striking a balance between giving direction and maintaining a calm demeanour. Over time, I learnt how to communicate clearly and effectively with the subjects I worked with.
It helped that my colleagues were always there, offering guidance on photography techniques and how to frame shots. Working alongside them has sharpened my eye for detail and pushed me to think creatively about how photos tell their own stories, in ways that words cannot.
From Draft to Publishing
One of the most rewarding moments of being a journalist has been watching my writing develop from rough drafts to articles that are ready for publishing; professional and polished. Every article requires hours of research, writing, editing and many more steps for it to become what it is. Seeing my byline on published articles always feels like a personal milestone, reflecting the effort invested in every phase of the writing process.
As my internship comes to an end, I find myself reflecting on just how much I’ve grown as a writer and the joy in forging memorable bonds with people from different walks of life. Every assignment has given me an opportunity for growth. From my first to last article, the things I’ve learnt have not only shaped me as a writer, but also as a colleague who supports her team, a photographer who aims to present the best story and a journalist who helps people share their personal stories in a memorable and meaningful way!
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